Number of under-25s on Live Register nears 40,000

Close to 40,000 young people under the age of 25 were signing on the Live Register at the end of last month — an increase of 331 on the equivalent figure for June.

Despite the monthly increase, the figure represents a substantial reduction on the same period a year ago, when 50,316 people were signing on.

More young men (22,616) than women (17,254) were availing of unemployment assistance and other State supports in July.

The latest Live Register figures released by the Central Statistics Office show a further 62,517 people were availing of job activation schemes aimed predominantly at the long-term unemployed.

A year ago, just over 70,000 long-term unemployed people were availing of the same schemes. Those on activation schemes are not included in the monthly Live Register figures.

On a seasonally-adjusted basis, the Live Register recorded a monthly decrease of 5,100 (1.7%).

The total number of people signing on in July stood at 300,300. On an annual basis, there was a reduction of more than 44,300 signing on.

The Irish Small and Medium Enterprises Association said the figures show the need for a rethink on the Government’s “stalled jobs strategy”.

It criticised the Government’s “blasé attitude” to rising business costs.

“Although there is a drop in the numbers signing on the live register, there is a concern that Government is ignoring the continuous cost-creep for business, which, when added to the uncertainty over Brexit, is having a negative effect and hampering job creation,” said Isme chief executive Mark Fielding.